บท 6: Last Sunset -1

Soon all bottles were finished. Zeph was still sober as he had drunk only one cup whereas Makon was rumbling all over the table.

During drinking, he talked about all things like how mighty their clan was, how outstanding Zeph's parents were, how he ventured out in the world, etc. Zeph nodded along as he thought Grandpa must have needed a companion to talk about old days. So both were enjoying the whole afternoon in one way or another.

Makon was happy to find a listener so that he talked openly for the first time in eighteen years, no need to maintain a serious attitude was quite relaxing to the old man. He had always maintained or at least try to maintain the grim and serious image in front of zeph because he knew he had to toughen his heart to teach him.

He could not afford him to be spoiled. He had a huge burden of promise weighing down his old shoulder.

Also, he was afraid that if Only for one time he loosened up his act and showed his gentle and caring nature, his grandson will find his weakness, and if he used this as a reason to act spoiled he doesn't have the heart to take hard steps

So he maintained the act for almost eighteen years. Today he realized that it was worth Everything.

Meanwhile, zeph was enjoying too listening to fascinating tales of the past of his grandfather, stories about his clan and his parents.

On the mention of parents, he never felt that burning desire. Maybe because he never had seen how is that bond. Also, he lives far away from the village so he never saw other of his age children parent relationship.

For him, his parents were like guardians of the story they were always there to bless him but were never meant to play role in real life.

For him, from childhood, he had Grandpa in his life.

He first thought Grandpa was strict to avoid his displeasure he always worked hard to follow his wishes but slowly he realized that he loved him very much, his efforts to train him that was all due to that love so began to understand their relationship with each other.

But Today he saw a whole different side of this man. His cheeky nature,boasty personality were a whole new thing to him. He understood at that time maybe he still hasn't understood Grandpa fully.

Maybe there is something that is making Grandpa so serious in my tutelage.

"You know, one time there was a bet between me and your grandfather....hiccup...hahaha.....he never realized that I cheated him till his very last day ."

Makon started to laugh wildly but slowly happy laugh turned into grim laughter. Tears started to form a side of his eyes.

"In last moment he was still that foolish and honest instead of ambushing our enemies, He directly broke into them and just got his life wasted like that ."

"What exactly happened that day Grandpa, I want to know the full story, I am old enough now!"

"That day" slowly soberness came over Makon as he narrated that fateful day" our clan 'Azadira' was highest in the nation of chelon.

We had so much influence that other lesser powers began to fear that we will take control of the entire chelon under our rule. So these so-called loyal clans colluded with the Black raven.

It is an organization with many demons, Yakshas, beasts, and human members. They don't care which race you belong to only believe in self profit.

So all the higher members along with local demons and beasts attacked our clan residence on that day. It was a total surprise for us ...hah! complete failure of the so-called spy network.

All members including your grandfather who was clan leader your father and others went to fight them.

I remained in clan residence as a backup with other few ones. But the outside attack was a distraction. Real attack was 'insiders'."

Zeph noticed that while narrating he was calm. He could not even imagine how many times this man has gone through this story in his head that now he was completely devoid of emotions. Makon continued " the servants which were supposed to be sent with children's and non-martial members to evacuate were the 'insiders'.

It was a massacre. when I reached the scene, no one was alive. All fighting members who got enraged began to fight recklessly.

Your grandfather and team defeated the outside distraction instead of regrouping and ambushing the enemies. In their rage, they began to fight recklessly toward the main members of those clans and black raven members.

I was fighting alongside them when your father told me about you.

He said that he can't leave the battle as he was injured and no one from our side will make it out alive. So he took a promise from me to protect you and raise you outside of clan conflict. you were at that time with your mother has gone to the distant relative place to visit so we thought you escaped the calamity.

As I hurried towards your mother, in the route I found many enemies and bad premonition began to rise in my heart. As I feared they have tracked even you to leave no survivors behind. When I arrived your mother was alone fighting four warriors but she was on her last leg.

she soon died after a fight entrusting me with the same promise you to me. I was heavily burdened with responsibilities then. But then I found out that they have used Dark magic on your mother as she died her body released necrosis curse with it."

At this point, Makon was crying with tears in his eyes. He said in trembling voice, "Those vermins ...they infused her food and blood to viscous of the curse which upon the death of victim got released to other ones. She must have felt an agonizing pain in her end moments but did not breathe a word to me.

I was not able to digest that rage took over me I took you with me and went to fund those dark vermins who cursed her through the trail.

I found them in the cave slowly practicing their meditation. There In anger, I started attacking them recklessly in the cave. With heavy injuries, I managed to burn them all but then when realized that I haven't cleared out the curse from our bodies.

I was infected with a curse so like you. To date, no cure has been found for it.

I have searched overall places by to no avail.

Your illness is actually a necrosis curse which is now assimilated in your body."

There was silence in the room. As both of them feeling lost in their thoughts. Slowly in the horizon sun began to set.